At the dawns of strength, the Maruts are invoked to come forth, accompanied by Indra, to clothe the two worlds in their power. As day and night faithfully accompany humankind, so too are the gods entreated to grant a secure seat, a dwelling, and to open the radiant path of light. The worshippers prepare the most excellent libation, skillfully pressing out the sacred juice as a charioteer guides his steeds. They call upon the noble ones to bestow victory, heroic might, great wealth, and the swift insight that leads to success. This libation, poured out as in times of old, follows the path once trodden by Manu. In the cow-pen, in the house of the horse, and at the sacred rites, the devotees seek the presence of the divine. Their prayers ask the gods to drive away demons, shatter destroyers, hold back misfortune, and dispel folly. They plead for wealth with heroes, and for the sacred stones to bring forth song to the Bharatas. The gods are praised as surpassing even the sky, greater than the shining ones, the wind, Soma, Agni, or the ancestors. The stones, full of glory and strength, are called to stir and resound in heaven, their voices joining where men draw forth the honeyed juice, striving together in proclamation. The pressing stones, likened to charioteers, draw out the Soma for the contest, milking the udder for pouring, while the men prepare the offerings with their hands. Skilled in rites, these men become one with the sacred act, pressing Soma for Indra, each stone yielding wealth for the divine and earthly abodes, for the one who offers. The speech of the priests, like rain from the clouds, pours forth riches, and their wisdom in sacrifice is praised. Like a hymn to the Maruts, their company shines, worthy of praise and adoration. The young men, adorned for glory, resemble the Maruts—radiant for many bright nights, sons of heaven, unrestrained, never weary like the Adityas. They shine from heaven and earth by their own might, dispersing the clouds like the sun, strong and glorious as princes, blameless and ever advancing like youthful heroes. In the depths of the gods, as in the bed of waters, nothing is torn apart nor broken; the all-encompassing sacrifice draws near, with offerings as companions gather in assembly. The Maruts are yoked to their reins, shining at dawn, self-glorious like eagles, fierce and swift, all-pervading travelers. When they carry forth the great wealth of Samvaraṇa from afar, they know the riches of the generous one, and even from a distance, they drive away hatred. Whoever, at the rising of the sacrificial fire, offers to the Maruts as more than a mortal, gains wealth and strong offspring, finding protection under the gods. The Maruts, gracious as the Adityas, are worthy at the sacrifices; may they protect our chariot-seeking thoughts, rejoicing in their greatness at the ritual. The Maruts are likened to inspired sages, self-ruled in thought, to gods awake with sacrifice, to splendid kings, and blameless youths among men. They shine like Agni with golden breasts, move like self-yoked winds, guide as wise elders, and strive for truth like Somas. Swift as winds, shining as tongues of fire, armed like warriors, generous as ancestral praises, enduring as chariot wheels, victorious as heroes, and melodious as singers, they are foremost in speed like noble horses, generous as eager charioteers, and manifold as the Angirases with their chants. Like grinding stones, swift and strong, like rocks, all-conquering, like playful children, well-nurtured, and like a great advancing troop, the Maruts are adorned for sacrifice like the lights of dawn, swift in their courses, flowing like rivers, shining in vision, and measuring the leagues like distant travelers. The gods are asked to grant fortune and gifts, for in the friendship of praise and song, the treasures of the Maruts endure. Amidst mortals, the greatness of the mighty one is seen—he who bears diverse jaws, coming together in contest, biting, devouring, holding much. His head is hidden, moving in secret, and with his tongue he devours the woods. For him, the tribes bring offerings with their feet and upraised hands, in reverence. Like a child seeking the hidden path of the mother, he creeps along the plants, searching for food, and, desiring, lies within the lap of the foe. The mystery is declared to heaven and earth: the embryo, being born, consumes his mothers. The mortal cannot comprehend the god, but Agni is the knower, the wise, the all-seeing. Whoever nourishes Agni with offerings and clarified butter, for him Agni, with a thousand eyes, looks in every direction, facing all ways. The question is raised: what offence has Agni committed among the gods? Playful or serious, the tawny one has consumed the offering, yet, bound by fetters, he cuts them and is released as a cow. He yokes the horses, eager for the forest, bound with reins and straight paths. Mitra, well-born, shines with riches, and Agni grows strong at the joints, advancing onward. Agni gives the team that brings strength and prizes, gives the hero famed for deeds, moves well-ordered between heaven and earth, and is the fruitful womb and bountiful woman. May the kindling of Agni’s body be auspicious; he has entered the great heavens and earth, stirs up battles, and destroys many foes. Agni brought the old man with his ear, drove forth the chariot from the waters, protected Atri from the burning heat, and sent forth Nṛmedha with offspring. He gives wealth splendid with heroes, makes the seer who bestows thousands, stretches the oblation in heaven, and his abodes are widely distributed. Seers call upon Agni with hymns, men pressed by the journey call upon him, birds flying in mid-air call upon him, and Agni circles thousands of cows. The human clans, those of Manu and Nahusha, are born for Agni, who possesses the Gandharva path of immortality and whose cow-pen is set in ghee. For Agni, the Ribhus have fashioned hymns, and to him, the great, the well-praised song is spoken. O youngest Agni, lead the singer forward and grant great wealth as you sacrifice. He who, sacrificing, sat as seer and priest over all these worlds—our father—desiring wealth with his blessing, entered first and last. Questions arise: what was the foundation, the support, the word? Whence, creating the earth, did the All-Maker, the all-seeing, stretch out the sky with his greatness? Thus the wonder and praise of the gods are sung, their mysteries revered, their gifts and might ever sought by those who worship.